Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 21, 2025
08:56
A Method for Measuring RNA N6-methyladenosine Modifications in Cells and Tissues
Published on: December 5, 2016
11.2K
RNA N6-Methyladenosine Modifications and the Immune Response
Ya-Nan Wang1, Chen-Yang Yu1, Hong-Zhong Jin1
1Department of Dermatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Journal of Immunology Research
|May 16, 2020
Summary
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modifications are crucial in eukaryotes, regulated by enzymes and proteins. This review explores m6A
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics and Molecular Biology
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the predominant internal modification of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in higher eukaryotes.
- m6A levels are dynamically regulated by specific methyltransferases and demethylases.
- m6A modifications influence gene expression and cellular functions through interactions with m6A-binding proteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biological significance of RNA m6A modifications.
- To highlight the role of m6A in immune responses and viral infections.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent advancements in RNA m6A modification research.
- Analysis of studies investigating m6A's impact on innate and adaptive immunity.
- Examination of research on m6A modifications during viral infections.
Main Results:
- m6A modifications play critical roles in regulating innate and adaptive immune responses.
- RNA m6A is implicated in the host's defense mechanisms against viral infections.
- Emerging techniques facilitate the investigation of m6A dynamics and functions.
Conclusions:
- RNA m6A modifications are integral to immune system function and host-pathogen interactions.
- Further research into m6A is vital for understanding immunity and developing antiviral strategies.
Related Concept Videos
02:23RNA Editing
9.6K
RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification where a precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) nucleotide sequence is changed by base insertion, deletion, or modification. The extent of RNA editing varies from a few hundred bases, in mitochondrial DNA of trypanosomes, to a just single base, in nuclear genes of mammals. Even a single base change in the pre-mRNA can convert a codon for one amino acid into the codon for another amino acid or a stop codon. This type of re-coding can significantly affect the...
9.6K
01:53RNA Stability
35.5K
Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...
35.5K
01:35Pre-mRNA Processing: Modification of pre-mRNA Ends
13.3K
In eukaryotic cells, transcripts made by RNA polymerase are modified and processed before exiting the nucleus. Unprocessed RNA is called precursor mRNA or pre-mRNA to distinguish it from mature mRNA.
Once about 20-40 ribonucleotides have been joined together by RNA polymerase, a group of enzymes adds a cap to the 5' end of the growing transcript. In this process, a 5' phosphate is replaced by modified guanosine that has a methyl group attached (7-methyl guanosine). This 5' cap helps...
Once about 20-40 ribonucleotides have been joined together by RNA polymerase, a group of enzymes adds a cap to the 5' end of the growing transcript. In this process, a 5' phosphate is replaced by modified guanosine that has a methyl group attached (7-methyl guanosine). This 5' cap helps...
13.3K
02:36Transfer RNA Synthesis
12.9K
One of the unique features of tRNA is the presence of modified bases. In some tRNAs, modified bases account for nearly 20% of the total bases in the molecule. Altogether, these unusual bases protect the tRNA from enzymatic degradation by RNases.
Each of these chemical modifications is carried by a specific enzyme, post-transcription. All of these enzymes have unique base and site-specificity. Methylation, the most common chemical modification, is carried by at least nine different enzymes, with...
Each of these chemical modifications is carried by a specific enzyme, post-transcription. All of these enzymes have unique base and site-specificity. Methylation, the most common chemical modification, is carried by at least nine different enzymes, with...
12.9K
02:31Nuclear Export of mRNA
8.5K
Before mRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm, it is crucial to check each mRNA for structural and functional integrity. Eukaryotic cells use several different mechanisms, collectively known as mRNA surveillance, to look for irregularities in mRNAs. Irregular or aberrant mRNA are rapidly degraded by various enzymes. If a defective mRNA escapes the surveillance, it would be translated into a protein which would either be non-functional or not function properly. One of the primary irregularities in...
8.5K
02:01pre-mRNA Processing
56.7K
In eukaryotic cells, transcripts made by RNA polymerase are modified and processed before exiting the nucleus. Unprocessed RNA is called precursor mRNA or pre-mRNA to distinguish it from mature mRNA.
Once about 20-40 ribonucleotides have been joined together by RNA polymerase, a group of enzymes adds a “cap” to the 5’ end of the growing transcript. In this process, a 5’ phosphate is replaced by modified guanosine that has a methyl group attached to it (7-Methyl...
Once about 20-40 ribonucleotides have been joined together by RNA polymerase, a group of enzymes adds a “cap” to the 5’ end of the growing transcript. In this process, a 5’ phosphate is replaced by modified guanosine that has a methyl group attached to it (7-Methyl...
56.7K